My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 269

It is also—your pain.

"—Can you repeat that to me?"

Xiaoxiao looked at my face from the front.

She stood one step below me, while I sat one step above her; the usual height difference was completely negligible.

"How did you come up with the idea of... curing my constitution?"

Asking questions earnestly, speaking with seriousness, and using earnest words.

But even asking such a simple question seems to create an insurmountable barrier between us.

Once you realize that there might be no going back, you'll understand.

Once you start, you may never be able to stop.

I now have to actively step into Xiaoxiao's intentions, her heart, and her private space. This is a choice from which there is no turning back. It cannot be left unresolved as it has been in the past. This is a choice that both she and I must actively accept.

The most terrifying thing is that my physical condition—which is now even independent of my will—is this heartache that is screaming how terrible, how terrible.

—Maybe she'll stop me from doing anything again.

—Maybe I'll become like a pet again.

—Maybe I'll start to hate Xiaoxiao again.

These fears, timidity, anxiety, rejection...

To overcome all of this, what's needed is a determination to give it your all.

This determination... must be called courage.

"……Um."

Perhaps it was from some source that she sensed my last bit of courage. Xiaoxiao played with the tip of her ponytail to pass the time, her gaze wandering aimlessly with a hint of confusion.

"...Because if you continue to leave it unattended, you'll cause a lot of girls to be heartbroken and cry in the future—I've already given you this reason before, haven't I?"

"Hmm. You said it's your responsibility to prevent that kind of thing from happening?"

"Yes...that's one of the reasons. But there's another reason—"

Xiaoxiao stared at me with an expression that seemed to be watching my heart race and I could hardly breathe.

"...I'm asking you, did you bring a vomit bag?"

"Huh?...No, I don't get carsick."

"OK. Luckily I was prepared."

Xiaoxiao rummaged through her handbag, took out a vomit bag, and said:

"Here, take this. Open it and hold it. Do you know how to use it?"

She unilaterally shoved the bag into my hand and told me to open it and place it under my face.

What are we doing? We're not even taking a ride—

"—Another reason…"

Xiaoxiao smiled shyly, as if an ice cube had melted.

"It's because I hope that one day, I can openly and honestly tell you again that I like you."

Openly and honestly.

I'll say it again—

"—Ugh...!"

A wave of nausea surged upwards from the depths of my abdomen. I couldn't help but hunch over, burying my face in the opening of the vomit bag. Hives spread across my entire body along with the chilling sensation. My body felt like it was on fire, burning intensely. My brain instantly ceased its ability to think; only the churning, surging discomfort dominated my thoughts.

—But.

but.

Even so...!

"...Ugh...,...Ooh...,...Hmm, ha!"

I didn't vomit; I just lifted my face out of the vomit bag.

I gritted my teeth and swallowed the rising urge to vomit. I temporarily cleared my mind, relying on sheer willpower to fight off the overwhelming discomfort.

Xiaoxiao said in astonishment:

"You...you swallowed it?"

"...Luckily, I haven't had lunch yet...hehe."

Although my throat felt a little sore, that was about it.

Despite the annoying allergy symptoms... I pulled through.

-- Oh, so it turns out it can be done.

"Yes—I understand it deeply now."

I shoved the vomit bag back to Xiaoyue and forced a smile.

"Indeed, this kind of physique is quite tiring... It will cause me to always be dominated by you."

"Is that the reason? I just confessed my feelings to you."

"It's not like I just found out today that you're the kind of woman who likes to dwell on past relationships, which puts a lot of pressure on me."

Xiaoyue pouted, unconvinced, and said:

"Why are you talking like it's none of your business? You were so excited to talk to me about it last night."

"Yeah, I admit it. I didn't expect you to have such a sexy figure!"

"...I still find it hard to accept..."

Love isn't just about the beautiful aspects. Desire and instinct are also inextricably linked to it.

However—since I can resist this constitution, I can definitely handle that little thing.

I will never succumb to lust, and I will never succumb to instinct...

It swallows both the pure and the impure.

Face it slowly—with courage.

"I'm so sorry about yesterday, I just ran away like that. Don't worry, next time I'll look at myself from head to toe more carefully."

"Stop pretending to be so magnanimous, you're clearly a coward! Don't forget, I still hold the reins!"

"So I already apologized to you, right? Please forgive me, I can't keep up this act any longer."

I'll throw up. I'll definitely throw up this time. I'll throw up uncontrollably.

"Oh..." Xiaoyue smiled slightly.

Just as I had a bad feeling, Xiaoyue walked up a step and looked down at my face like a king.

"Don't worry, I won't make you feel unwell for no reason. You can rest assured about that."

"Oh, really... then why did you come closer...?"

"—By the way, let me tell you~"

Xiaoyue bent down slightly.

She leaned forward and looked into my eyes from close range.

The shirt collar droops down, revealing a slightly flat chest.

"Based on the experiment results, it seems like nothing will happen if you develop feelings for me."

Xiaoyue gave a devilish smile.

"So? What's your opinion on this?... Was I right?"

What angers me is—

My heart was racing erratically, but I didn't experience any nausea or hives.

(Illustration 014)

Haba Jouji's peaceful dream

Contrary to most of my predictions, our group embarked on our journey home unscathed.

After taking the ground cable car down the mountain, we walked towards the nearest bus stop. Along the way, Ya Shuang, who had won a great comeback victory, stayed around Xing Bian the whole time, playing around like a cat in a high-spirited service mood.

Senior Xingbian no longer responded coldly as before, and would even tease the mischievous Aya. Perhaps unaccustomed to being teased, Aya found herself unable to handle it.

As for Kawanami and Minami, who had initially kept their distance, they started having normal conversations again. Although they didn't flaunt their relationship in public like Asami and the others, their manner of speaking and physical contact suggested that they were no longer as reserved towards each other as before.

The same applies to Irito, Higashigoto, and Irito Mizuto. Whenever Irito Mizuto is talking to Higashigoto, Irito readily joins the conversation. Yesterday, Irito seemed rather polite, so it seems something happened that helped her let go of her worries.

I observed the whole situation from the very back.

It was probably during those three days that each group experienced their own story. I didn't get involved with any of the groups, nor did I think it was necessary.

I'll just be their background.

I believe this is the role I should play, my calling. It's not that I'm afraid of anything, nor am I intimidated; I genuinely feel most comfortable in the background.

"—A-Zhang."

The most glorious and splendid protagonist has come to talk to me, a nobody.

How did you find the trip?

"...It should have been pretty good. After all that talking, it ended peacefully in the end."

"Yeah, and we've finally made Eisa and the others a couple."

Hong, who walked up to me, smiled contentedly. When it came to Ya Shuang's matter, Hong was arguably the biggest driving force behind it all.

"Now, finally, we have a couple in our student council. It feels so unbelievable that a girl around me has a boyfriend. I feel happy for her, but also a little envious—"

"Envious? Even Hong envies her?"

"certainly."

Hong looked at my face and let out a meaningful chuckle.

"I really want to find a cute boyfriend soon too~"

"...Are you imitating Ya Shuang's way of speaking? This tone doesn't suit you."

Aren't you envious?

"I...have never even thought about wanting a girlfriend."

Gaining someone's favor means you can no longer remain a stranger.

I am different from Ya Shuang, in fact, quite the opposite. I don't want to be seen by anyone—I want to be the one who pays attention to others, not the one who is being paid attention to.

I want to be an observer. I want to be a spectator. I want to be a person without personality.

"I'd rather be in the background."

That way, I can help everyone.

Push all the troublesome stuff onto me. Leave all the trivial tasks to me. Then, everyone can do what only you can do.

Just treat me like an extra blending into the shadows of the stage.

Because everyone—has this value.

"I see."

The clever girl, Hong, understood everything after hearing just one sentence, and smiled.

"Okay then."

Suddenly, something soft touched my cheek.

“…Huh?”

As soon as I turned my head, Hong quickly left my side.

Then—in front of her cherry lips…